Pokémon creators introduced fans to the trading card game Diamond and Pearl expansion in the year 2007, featuring a Bonsly trading card. On this artwork, the fourth generation rock-type is portrayed by artist Midori Harada in a somewhat awkward situation. Here, this pre-evolution can be seen knocked over and shedding tears. But don't misunderstand, however. As its move Fake Tears, Bonsly is trying to manipulate their opponent's emotions to decreasing their damage output. Iconic piece, no? Electroacoustic harpist Hopkins is a firm believer. She owns a collection book containing over 300 Bonsly cards to prove it.
Her Complete Set Including Rare Finds
That's not the full extent also. She's got a score of reverse holographic copies featuring Bonsly, portraying the small Pokémon in reflective foil all over except the central artwork. The crown jewel, yet, proves to be the PSA 6-graded holo reverse Bonsly card. Certainly, it's far from a top-graded Charizard illustration. However, can you claim a quirky, close to mint Bonsly illustration maintained in its eternal glory? I didn't think so.
The Start of the Obsession
She invested most of the current year gathering every 2007 Bonsly card available on the market. She first heard about the out-of-print card at the start of the year, while talking about the most infamous cards among collectors with a worker at her favorite card shop. Crying Omanyte was a contender, as was the lonely Cubone on a park ride. However, the one that Bonsly crying, aka the seventeenth card, that caught Emily's focus.
The Design and Inspiration
The design of Bonsly is based on bonsai trees, that are commonly placed in containers featuring holes for drainage. These are meant to support healthy development, so much so that enthusiasts suggest to peers to add holes on the bottom if they don't already have one. They can also be positioned in shallow containers hole-free, known as suiban, where the water stays may assist growers arrange their bonsai to resemble outdoor scenes. Bonsly represents the first type, which explains the hole.
Why Bonsly Stands Out
Even with this reasonable background, though, Pokémon's creators seems almost overly focused regarding the hole in Bonsly. Even merch like Bonsly plushes ensure they feature an empty space on the underside of the tree-like Pokémon. It doesn't matter if the depiction of Bonsly in question appears sad or content: It will display a hole. The opening is a key element of how Bonsly looks. This specific Bonsly card became a meme in collector circles because of that drainage hole, in addition to its rarity. Up until last year, this Bonsly card was the only version of Bonsly card printed in a game where numerous creatures are typically depicted in various forms. For 16 years, were you seeking this Pokémon card, you had to settle with this specific design.
The Collector's Passion
"When I saw this card on the list of these cursed cards, I felt I located the one for me," Hopkins shares in a message, noting that she was surprised that she hadn't encountered it earlier. She'll be the first to tell you her passion for the Bonsly card has no real value, but she didn't care. The initial interest turned into a full-blown obsession, as Hopkins bought every Bonsly #71 card that she could get her hands on. She soon developed a habit of visiting her favorite shop every week, and was dubbed among the staff as the Bonsly fan. They started putting any new Bonsly #71 cards it received only for her. Most of these cards cost between $1 and $3, she says, calculating that her total expenditure is approximately four hundred dollars for the collection book.
Rising Prices
Nowadays, mint-condition Bonsly #71 cards may reach prices of nearly $15. While that's on the higher end, run-of-the-mill versions usually go for $4 and above. This rise in cost more or less coincides with the time Emily began building her set, but it's possible that multiple reasons. Even though the card is notorious in the community, Emily's social media updates on it have also garnered countless views. With information of its existence continues to spread among more people, there's a chance their market price may continue to shoot up. Regardless, investors note that card market costs are climbing this year in general.
Unstoppable Determination
Hopkins cannot be stopped, though.
"The amazing thing remains that certain fans and viewers on social media have shipped their Bonsly cards her way for her album, and she is preserving these cards protected always," Emily states. Instead of being put off, viewers are amazed and encouraged by her collection.
"For years, I wished to attempt something similar," an observer mentions. "Buy up all of a common card|every copy of a common card
